Salon Spy: WAH Nails at Topshop

BeautySpotter took over our Salon Spy for the day as they headed to WAH Nails at Topshop for an arty manicure

With summer hotting up and holidays-a-coming we thought it was high time we got some colour on our nails. So, darting our way through the first day of the Topshop sales, we were relieved to spy the neon glow of the WAH Nails sign ahead – like the North Star to our lazy red mani.

It’s not the first time we’ve been to WAH, nor certainly the last; in fact it’s becoming a bit of a guilty pleasure here at BeautySpotter. HQ. Founded back in 2009 as the brainchild of East London’s Sharmadean Reid, WAH Nails has become the go-to brand for all things nail and art. With invitations to paint everywhere from London Fashion Week to Nike brand events, Moschino after-parties and the hottest spots from NYC to Moscow, WAH is a true industry leader and perfect pit stop before getting set to jet this summer.

On sitting down with WAH Girl Ellie, we started to talk through the design we were looking for and with our ashamedly simple direction - “something bright and different” - we were blown away when Ellie suggested a half-bare set of crystal inspired tips. Um… sold!

So, with Ellie’s phone open on Google’s best amethyst images she sets to work – confessing early on to her mild yet burgeoning fling with crystals of late, we we knew we couldn’t be in better hands.

First up was the cool Essie Sugar Daddy, which Ellie applied as a base to ensure the “naked” part of the nail still looks great. Next up was a spectrum of violets, lilacs and one disco ball-bottle of purple glitter. Ellie applied all three across our tips in a seemingly random, yet clearly considered, set of blocks and stripes.

With all three shades drying, it was time for the real magic to begin as Ellie warmed up her white nail art pen. Her experienced yet casual precision is a treat to watch and as the stark white lines were drawn the crystal shards began to emerge – genius.

While Ellie paints, she tells us how she’s recently been experimenting with 3D nail art (as you do), using nail gels to build up and contour the designs. The only catch is that the gels adhere best to an acrylic nail base but if you fit the bill it's not to be missed.

Back to our crystals and as the last line of white is carefully drawn we sit back to admire the finished article; a true nail tip triumph and definite conversation-starter for the weekend ahead.

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